Yuku free message boards

I was very surrprised to find the matted widescreen format used for the colorized version, as the previous VCI colorized release presented the film in the proper ratio. Also disappointed to hear that the Seymour Hicks SCROOGE may be the chopped up version. (Guess I won't be getting rid of my stand-alone DVD of that, then, in its full-length format.)

The animated version of A CHRISTMAS CAROL with the skull-headed Marley was made in 1970, the year before the Chuck Jones version, from an Australian animation studio that adapted a number of classics that were aired in the U.S. by CBS. I know that one gets a lot of flack, especially when compared to the Jones production, but I kind of like it. (Used to play annually throughout the Seventies, and was briefly available on VHS, but I was never able to get my hands on a copy.) If I recall, throughout that cartoon, Scrooge is constantly rubbing or fidgeting with a coin, the very first one he ever earned. Later, after his redemption, he gives it away (maybe as a tip to the boy he sends to get a goose for the Cratchit family on Christmas morning? Too many years have passed since I've seen it.) As a ten year old kid when that version debuted, Marley's ghost really creeped me out. Years later, in the Eighties I think, another Australian animation studio did a series of cartoons based on the classics, but these were pretty poor. (Among these was another version of A CHRISTMAS CAROL. There must be something about skull-headed Marley's in the Land Down Under, as we see a quick flashback of Marley death where he turns into a skeleton.) That later batch were put on home video by CVA (Children's Video of America).

Another couple of Television Scrooge editions I would like to see (GOOD COPIES), would be the one with Basil Rathbone as Scrooge. Then, there was also another with him as Marley and Ebe was played by Frederick March.

The half hour CHRISTMAS CAROL where Rathbone is Scrooge (not talking about THE STINGIEST MAN IN TOWN) was part of a series called TALES FROM DICKENS, which had Frederic March as host. (My copy tints certain segments.) Because Rathbone and March were in this, and in the CBS SHOWER OF STARS "Christmas Carol" (March as Scrooge to Rathbone's Marley), I've seen some articles and reviews actually confuse the two, or even lump them together as one and the same. The SHOWER OF STARS version (with music by Bernard Herrmann) shows up on VHS and DVD. (I think it and a Bing Crosby Christmas Special are paired on one disk.) Some even include the original commercials, and promo for next week's CLIMAX! (Back at the time, SHOWER OF STARS and CLIMAX alternated.) It was originally broadcast in color, but only a B&W kinescope copy seems to have survived.

which...features AVENGERS actress Diana Rigg as 007's ultimate Christmas present.

Can you imagine finding Emma Peel under the tree on Christmas morning? A stocking stuffer, indeed! (Toy fire engine? Bah, humbug!!!)